Hillmen earn a point away to league leaders

Glossop North End made it three games unbeaten with a hard earned 1-1 draw on the road at table topping Ramsbottom United.

Manager Richard Brodie made a couple of changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Cheadle Town in midweek, young Aeron Bardsley slotted into defence in place of Phil Perry who missed out through a minor knock, and Lee Rick took a place on the bench following a recent suspension for a sending off at Padiham last month.

GNE started with some early chances within the first five minutes, Lewis Reilly looked sharp from the off, but hit GNE’s first effort of the game straight at the keeper in the 3rd minute. In the 9th minute, GNE would have the ball in the net, again through Lewis Reilly, only to be denied by the offside flag. It wasn’t all plain sailing early on for GNE, the hosts had a big chance in the 12th minute. The Hillmen felt they should’ve had a foul for a challenge on Niall Fallon in the build up to a move which eventually saw GNE keeper Charlie Gladwin rounded in the 6 yard box, only for the hosts best chance of the game at that point to be cleared off the line by the Hillmen.

In the 28th minute, GNE would take the lead in the game, in a move that had the visiting fans on the edge of their seats. Abdul Djalo received the ball from a throw in on the right hand side, made an intricate run on the half turn towards the Ramsbottom penalty area, he laid off to forward Lewis Reilly who hit a low left footed effort into the net to give GNE the lead.

For the rest of the first half, GNE had other chances to potentially add to their goal tally, Aeron Bardsley won a brave 50/50 and broke into the box to let a shot off from a tight angle which was saved. To add to this, in the 40th minute, Lewis Reilly could’ve scored again, a big diagonal ball to Lewis Reilly left him with one defender and the keeper to beat, this time, he hesitated perhaps 1 touch too many before releasing his shot, this time the effort was saved. GNE ended the half well, and went into half time 1 goal to the good.

The Hillmen knew they would face pressure at the start of the second half, and that turned out to be very true indeed. GNE soaked up corners and set pieces as the pressure came from the hosts early on, but eventually in the 57th minute, Ramsbottom’s equaliser would come. The hosts worked a good cross from a throw in and the chance was forced goalwards to get the hosts back on level terms.

Following the equalising goal GNE endured further pressure as the hosts pushed for a winner with numerous headed chances going begging. To their credit, GNE stood firm and kept themselves in the game, even mustering some pressure themselves later on in the half as the game approached added time. In the end the points were shared on an afternoon where a draw was arguably the right result based on the games events.